Purchase of second hand car

[buster12345]

I recently purchased a second hand car. I looked on parker car guide and the particular fault that they mentioned was that their was a problem with leaking door seals. I printed this off and have a copy of this dated the date that I went to look at the car. When we went to look at the car this was the one specific question that I asked. The seller said that there was no problem. There was two of us present and just the seller at the time. The car leaks like a sieve!! Literally puddles in the foot wells. The car is 7 years old and cost �2,800 . The cost to repair is �100 per door, plus parts and labour. Probably about 600 to 700 pounds. I have written to the seller telling him that I intend taking him to court for misrepresentation. Does anyone think that I will actually get anywhere with this one and should I bother?

[Postdog]

Just a personal observation. You knew this was a possible fault, yet you still bought it. Why??

If you ask me, you might just as well get it fixed or get rid, and not be so honest if you get asked the same question. Besides, a second hand car from a private sale - caveat emptor, my friend, caveat emptor.

[sammy snake]

I know it's unlikely but there is a small chance that the car didn't leak when he had it. How could you prove otherwise?

[gouldc]

Having worked in a garage, and I can assure you that anyone else who has will also tell you this, you're buying a seven year old car with known faults.

As Postdog has noted, you were well aware of the potential fault (note I say potential as it will not necessarily affect all models), yet you still bought it - case of buyer beware?

Have you established for certain that the water is coming in from the door seals? The amount of water leaks I used to investigate on customers cars would inevitably be coming in from somewhere other than we thought they would.

Water in the foot wells could be indicative fo a leaking heater matrix (common on some Renaults), a leaking sunroof, blocked drainage in the doors, and I could go on.

What car is it exactly? I'd be very wary of believing everything that Parkers tells you about a car - it's not got a good name in the trade and insurers refuse to use it.

Back to the matter at hand though, you should have a three month warranty (minimum) in which the vendor is obliged to repair the faults (assuming it's not caused by normal wear and tear, or paint chips on a 200000 miles plus car), so there shouldn't be an issue there.

Obviously if the fault has occurred after the three months is up, you've got very little comeback there - I bought a convertible that was great in the light rain, but once the downpours started, it was like a swimming pool. I knew this particular model was prone to leaking, so what could I do?

And any extended warranty is highly unlikely to cover water leaks of this nature

[Nhozu]

I would give it a go. he may also be liable under the fraud act 06 (s2 fraud by false misrep), something worth mentioning to him.